Wichita eagle., 1887-12-29
SENATOR PLUMBS SPEECH.

Atchison Champion.
Senator Plumb makes no pretensiOns
to oratOry. he does not deal much in
metaphors, tropes or smiles. His periods
are not always rounded and polished. nor
do they always glitter like diamonds un
der rasiight, but when it comes to plain,
Anglo SaXOn-ciean cut, direct and fore
Idle Inference, he ranks among the fore
most takers Of the country. He is a
close and accurate observer of men and
things. He is a business man of splendid
qualifications. He takes a practical
view Of everything. In politics and
governmental affairs his excellent judg
ment: lis wise discretion: his apprehen-
sion of facts: his wide range Of informa-
ton: his correct appreciation of the situa-
ton, coupled with bis ability to make
the most of the weakness of his adyer-
sarie5 argument. enable him to do val
liant and effective service Senator
Plumb never talks for buncombe or vain
display. and he never talks unless he has
something to say. and when he rises in
his place 10 nave his say. the whole
country is compelled to listen.
In proof Of this fact we cite his speech
delivered in the senate on December 2l,
iday recess. In this characteristicallv
sensible speech Mr.. Plumb makes some
telling points against the administration
points which will repay most careful
consideration. He objected to the pro-
posed recess because it was against pub
lie interest. He doubtless remembered
that in common with his senatorial asSo-
ciates he had been sent to Washington
! Il.
utmost dispatch and in the best possible
manner-to work and not squander val
liable time in unnecessary holiday recrc-
alton
He arraigned the president for stating
in his late message that the responsible
ity of non-actiOn in the matter Of the
surplus would rest on congress. He
showed very clearly that the failure to
make a proper disposition OF the surplus,
rested on the president himself. who had
totally disregarded the law which re-
quired him TO practically spend the sur
piuS in the reduction of the national
debt. He pointed out Mr.. Cleveland ;
strange habit of distinguishing between
the laws passed by congress and his
unwarranted assumption that one
provision of law is less manda-
tory on him than another. He
called attention to the fact that the Dresi-
dent in his message neglected 10 state
that congress had passed bill authUriZ-
ing the payment Of $4,000, 600 month
for the discharge OF the national debt.
and that this bill failed to become a law
simply because Mr. Cleveland has arbi-
trarily pocketed 1t.
He noted the fact that the president
had willfullv disregarded congress and
had proceeded upon the assumption that
he knew better what ought - be done
than the law making branch of the gov
eminent. He exploded with good effect
the hvpocritical Democratic preteu-
sion that national banks We're
vampires sucking the substance
of the people. by showing THAI a
Democratic president had appointed n
president of national bank secretary Of
the treasury. and the cashier Of another
national bank treasurer OF the United
States.
He called the attention Of his col
leagues and the country 10 the fact that
ST. uU1. 900 Of the surplus had been de-
positei III the national hanks Of New
York CITY 70 be loaned 10 the people at
such rates - their necessities compelled
them TO pay. while at the same time
this mcnev could have been
used for the purchase OF gov
eminent bonds which would WELD -
Der cent profit to The people-Instead Of
which it was handed over 10 the national
banks 10 be used for their profit.
The PRESIDENT neglect to appoint the
commission provided by congress for
tn. purchaze OF Indian lands, and the
refusal of the Democratic majority Of
the Forty-ninth congress 10 pass the river
and hsrfar appropriation and deficiency
bills. bv WHICH 50. ot9.oo0 was kept
locked IN in the treastIry. were each held
up 20 tut view and made 10 refuIe the